Frank recognized what set him apart as a teenage boy: He was attracted to the idea of serving in government and was attracted to the other guys. “I thought at that time I would simply ignore it … Back in 1954 even the notion of admitting even to my parents that I was gay was just unthinkable … I would have a celibate life.”

For many years in Washington, Frank was out in his personal life but not in his public life. And when the world did find out he was gay (via The Boston Globe), he felt he had to “downplay” being gay and put on a tough guy persona.

And a funny moment in his memory of coming out: Tip O’Neill said “they tell me Barney Frank is going to come out of the room.”